Poll: Are you satisfied with the Detroit aLions’ offseason so far?

Only a few days into the new NFL year and the Detroit Lions are looking like a very different team.

After plenty of speculation and reports, trades and free agent signings have become official, and NFL rosters have changed significantly. Matthew Stafford is now with the Los Angeles Rams. Kenny Golladay is a New York Giant. Jamal Agnew is getting paid handsomely by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Matt Prater signed with the Arizona Cardinals. Andy Dalton is the presumed starting quarterback for the Chicago Bears. There are a lot of new faces in new places.

The Lions have been somewhat quiet since the new year kicked off. The Stafford trade for Jared Goff and picks obviously steals the spotlight, but the excitement regarding the move had died down in the weeks prior to being official. The re-signing of Romeo Okwara was perhaps a surprise to some, but it was a worthwhile splash to keep a rising talent on defense. Letting star receiver Golladay walk, meanwhile, will be met with criticism, but a four-year, $72 million contract was likely too rich for Detroit.

The re-signings have thus far been limited to Okwara, Mike Ford, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, and, of course, Don Muhlbach. The latter three players are on team-friendly deals that benefit a rebuilding roster.

The free agent signings are in a similar vein. Tight end Josh Hill fills a need that was poorly—and expensively—filled by Jesse James. Tyrell Williams and Breshad Perriman provide wide receiver depth with the opportunity to start. Jamaal Williams joins the team as another asset to the run game previously featuring D’Andre Swift and Kerryon Johnson. Tim Boyle likely takes the role of backup quarterback, barring the Lions drafting one or David Blough impressing. Charles Harris figures to provide pass rushing depth. Randy Bullock will have the tough task of replacing Prater.

The Lions also made a trade to acquire Michael Brockers from the Rams for essentially nothing. Brockers was soon signed to a new contract at a reasonable price. This trade, coupled with the previous signings, illustrates the Lions’ mentality this offseason: acquire inexpensive stopgaps for the rebuild ahead.

Aside from those moves, not much has happened. Justin Coleman, Joe Dahl, Christian Jones, and Danny Shelton were among the players released, primarily for salary cap reasons. John Johnson, the prized safety formerly with the Rams, signed with the Browns. The Lions did not acquire prized receivers like Corey Davis, JuJu Smith-Schuster, or Will Fuller. The likes of Jarrad Davis, Marvin Jones, and Oday Aboushi signed elsewhere.

Although many months of the offseason remain, including the NFL Draft, the Lions have remained patient so far. But will it pay off?

Today’s Question of the Day is:

Are you satisfied with the Lions’ offseason so far?

My answer: I am satisfied.

If the Lions were looking to build a competitor, then this offseason has been a disaster so far. Very little elite talent has been brought in, and nearly every facet of the team has gotten worse. Goff is a downgrade. The receivers are unproven. The defense has even more holes. Even their kicker is gone. Only the running backs group has really improved.

However, competing in 2021 is not a priority to me, and it likely isn’t a priority to the Lions. So far, the Lions have not made many moves that would hinder their rebuild. Many bloated contracts were dumped in favor of shorter, cheaper deals. Expensive free agents were left to sign with other teams. From an entertainment perspective, this upcoming season could be dreadful. From a rebuilding perspective, these are the necessary moves to turn this franchise around.

Some more signings will undoubtedly happen in the comings weeks to fill out the roster. The eyes of the franchise, meanwhile, are looking forward. A quiet 2021 season could be the price to pay for long-term success.

Your turn.